Sustainable shelters for post disaster reconstruction : an integrated approach for reconstruction after the South Asia earthquake
Name
191679529-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
6.83 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
0e769998f8cfd485be43d324f9c5f436
Author(s)
Ali, Zehra (Zehra Hyder)
Advisor(s)
Leslie Norford.
Date Issued
2007
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
A year after the South Asia earthquake, over 60% of the survivors are still vulnerable due to the lack of adequate shelter, the absence of basic facilities for water and sanitation and livelihood restoration. The harsh topography, limited financial and human resources of the displaced and the environmental impact have resulted in the construction of shelters that do not directly address the improvement in living conditions and remain vulnerable to future disasters. This thesis presents an overview of an integrated approach towards making the reconstruction in the earthquake affected areas of Northern Pakistan more sustainable. The review of shelter solutions and practical recommendations aim at showing that there is no 'single best' solution in terms of shelter design. Rather a synthesis of low tech solutions for improving the sustainability and safety of existing shelters has been provided along with an understanding of the social mechanisms necessary to address local needs and priorities. There are three main components that have been included to provide the primary context and discuss the role and design for sustainable shelters in the earthquake affected areas of Northern Pakistan are the 'Review of Housing', 'Design' and the 'Structural test'.
(cont.) The review of housing focuses on understanding the current role of stakeholder participation in the construction of homes, the feasibility of constructing homes using indigenous building technology, criteria for assessing the sustainability of designs and in depth case studies on the different housing mechanisms ( owner driven reconstruction, participatory housing and contractor driven reconstruction). The best practices for shelter design and construction have been rearticulated in the 'Design' section, which provides an overview of some of the construction practices that exist and are being implemented in the field for the reasons of their efficiency, affordability and resourcefulness. The 'Structural Test' corroborates suggestions for improving layout and floor plan of unreinforced masonry construction. Apart from the design of the main structural components, innovations for improved seismic resistance, thermal efficiency, ventilation and roof-rainwater harvesting have been presented to improve the functionality of shelter. Thus by integrating use of suitable shelter materials, design and construction techniques, while also considering the implications indoor lighting, ,heating and cooking and the opportunities for livelihood generation, the construction of sustainable and safer shelters has been encouraged.
Description
Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2007.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 67-69).
Subjects
Mechanical Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
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